Our History
In 1917, five women at New York University School of Law couldn’t find an inclusive organization that would accept them. So they started their own.
Dorothy, Ida, Minna, Eva, and Sylvia (affectionately the DIMES) founded Delta Phi Epsilon with the purpose of being accepting of all races and religions – one of the first non-sectarian social sororities to do so.
A lot has changed since then.
Our Founders
Attending law school when you don’t have basic voting rights is a bold move. Our Founders were bold, courageous students who challenged the status quo and did not let society define their future. They were forward-thinking women who saw beyond what sorority was and knew what it could be.
Today, our Sorority stays true to our founding. Sisters find more than a home or friendship in DPhiE. We find empowerment to live authentic and purposeful lives.
To promote good fellowship among the women students among the various colleges in the country…to create a secret society composed of these women based upon their good moral character, regardless of nationality or creed…
— Founder Notes
What it Means to Be DPhiE
We’re a group of trailblazing, courageous and bright individuals who have joined together under the motto of “esse quam videri” meaning “to be, rather than to seem to be.” We strive for justice, making our voices heard in even the hardest of situations. We create an empowered sisterhood through uplifting one another. We are bound by our love for each other and our communities.
Being DPhiE means to belong. Being DPhiE means to be authentically yourself.
75,000+
Initiated Members
109
Active Chapters
16
Alumnae Associations
478
International Volunteers
Our Values & Symbols
Mission
To provide a sisterhood experience rich with tradition, innovation and opportunities for growth.
Motto
Esse Quam Videri – To be, rather than to seem to be
Vision
We inspire and empower our sisterhood to engage in a lifetime of leadership and service.
Founding Principles
Justice, Sisterhood & Love
Colors
Our colors are royal purple and pure gold.
The Iris
Our flower is the lovely purple iris, which also dons our colors.
The Pearl
Our official jewel can be found on our sisterhood badge. The pearl is also a symbol of the Sorority’s membership development program.
Greek Letters
The greek alphabet letters of Delta Phi Epsilon are shown above. The letter for delta is commonly seen as a triangle. This has extra significance to our members as the equilateral triangle is our symbol.
The Crest
In ancient times, a family crest was often used as a flag to publicly display pride in their identity. Our crest has deep significance to initiated members of Delta Phi Epsilon.
The Unicorn
Seen as a symbol of what is good and pure in the world, the unicorn is our official mascot.
